How many witnesses do I need?

Most U.S. states require two adult witnesses who watch the testator sign and then sign themselves. A few states require three. Witnesses must be disinterested (not beneficiaries) in some states; in others, an interested witness only forfeits their gift, not the will itself. When in doubt, use two adult witnesses with no interest in the estate.

Does my will need to be notarised?

The will itself is not required to be notarised in most states (Louisiana is the major exception). Notarisation comes in for the optional "self-proving affidavit," which lets the will be admitted to probate without calling the witnesses. Notarising the affidavit is highly recommended.

What happens to assets not mentioned in my will?

They pass under the residue clause (if you have one) or, if not, under your state's intestacy laws to your closest blood relatives — usually spouse and children first, then parents, then siblings. A residue clause prevents this default from kicking in.

Can I disinherit my spouse or children?

In most states, you cannot fully disinherit a spouse — they have an "elective share" right (typically one-third to one-half of the estate). Adult children can be disinherited; minor children depend on state law and may be entitled to a "family allowance." Disinheritance language should be explicit ("I intentionally make no provision for X") and reviewed by an attorney.

Simple Last Will and Testament

A straightforward last will for a single individual with simple assets and clear beneficiaries.

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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

OF

JORDAN ALEX TAYLOR

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

I, Jordan Alex Taylor, of 482 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Portland, OR 97214, being of sound mind and memory and not acting under duress, fraud, or undue influence of any person, do hereby make, publish, and declare this to be my LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, hereby revoking all wills and codicils previously made by me.

ARTICLE I — IDENTIFICATION AND FAMILY

My marital status is: Single. I have no living children.

ARTICLE II — DEBTS, EXPENSES, AND TAXES

I direct my Executor to pay from my estate all of my just debts, expenses of my last illness, funeral and burial expenses, and the costs of administering my estate, as soon after my death as is practicable. I direct that any estate, inheritance, or similar transfer taxes payable by reason of my death be paid out of the residue of my estate, without apportionment.

ARTICLE III — SPECIFIC BEQUESTS

Subject to the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes provided in Article II, I make the following specific gifts:

$5,000 → Sam Taylor (sister)
Family piano → Riley Chen (cousin)
2018 Honda Civic → Morgan Riley

If any beneficiary named above does not survive me by thirty (30) days, the gift to that beneficiary shall lapse and pass under Article IV (Residue).

ARTICLE IV — RESIDUE

I give, devise, and bequeath all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, of every kind and wherever situated, to Sam Taylor (sister), if they survive me by thirty (30) days. If they do not, then to Riverside Animal Rescue, a 501(c)(3) charity.

ARTICLE V — APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR

I nominate and appoint Morgan Riley, of 199 Cedar Avenue, Salem, OR 97301, as Executor of this Will, to serve without bond. If they are unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint Casey Brooks as alternate Executor, also without bond.

My Executor shall have all powers granted to executors under the laws of the State of Oregon, including without limitation the power to sell, lease, or distribute property in kind; to settle claims; to retain or change investments; and to do all things necessary or convenient to administer my estate.

ARTICLE VI — GUARDIAN FOR MINOR CHILDREN

If at the time of my death I have any minor children and no surviving parent able and willing to act as their guardian, I nominate n/a as guardian of the person and estate of my minor children. If they are unable or unwilling to serve, I nominate n/a.

ARTICLE VII — NO-CONTEST CLAUSE

If any beneficiary under this Will contests its validity, or any provision of it, that beneficiary shall forfeit any gift made to them under this Will, and the gift shall pass as if that beneficiary had predeceased me.

ARTICLE VIII — GOVERNING LAW

This Will shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Oregon.

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed and declared this instrument as my Last Will and Testament on this May 4, 2026, at Portland, Oregon.


_______________________________
Jordan Alex Taylor (Testator)


WITNESS ATTESTATION

We, the undersigned witnesses, each declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Oregon that the Testator signed this Will in our joint presence, that we now sign as witnesses in the presence of the Testator and of each other, and that to the best of our knowledge the Testator is at least eighteen (18) years of age, of sound mind, and is acting freely and voluntarily.


_______________________________            _______________________________
Witness 1 — printed name                    Witness 1 — signature & date

Address: _______________________________________________________


_______________________________            _______________________________
Witness 2 — printed name                    Witness 2 — signature & date

Address: _______________________________________________________


SELF-PROVING AFFIDAVIT (optional — recommended in most states)

State of Oregon     )
                                          ) ss.
County of __________________              )

Sworn to and subscribed before me by Jordan Alex Taylor, the Testator, and by the witnesses named above, on this May 4, 2026.

________________________________
Notary Public — signature & seal

My commission expires: ____________________

About this template

A simple will is the foundational estate-planning document — it directs who receives your property, who administers your estate (the executor), and, for parents, who raises your minor children. Every U.S. state recognises a properly executed written will, but the formalities differ: most states require two adult witnesses who sign in the testator's presence; a handful (Colorado, Mississippi, Texas) recognise unwitnessed handwritten "holographic" wills; only Louisiana follows a civil-law system requiring a notary. The "self-proving affidavit" is a notarised attachment that lets the will be admitted to probate without the witnesses having to testify later — it is allowed in nearly every state and is well worth the small cost. A simple will works well for individuals or married couples with straightforward assets and clear beneficiaries. It does not avoid probate, does not handle assets that pass by beneficiary designation (life insurance, retirement accounts, payable-on-death bank accounts), and does not address incapacity (use a power of attorney and an advance directive for that). For estates over the federal estate-tax exemption, blended families, business interests, or special-needs beneficiaries, work with an estate-planning attorney.

When to use it

You want to leave specific items or amounts to specific people.
You have minor children and want to name a guardian.
You want to ensure the right person becomes executor instead of the court appointing one.
You want to disinherit someone who would otherwise inherit by default under state intestacy laws.
Your assets are simple — bank accounts, a home, a car, personal property.

What to include

Clear identification of you and your family.
Revocation of any prior wills.
Specific bequests followed by a residue clause.
Nomination of executor and alternate executor.
Guardian for minor children (and alternate).
Witness attestation (and ideally a self-proving affidavit).

Frequently asked

Not legally — every state allows a person to write their own will. But for anything beyond the simplest estate (blended family, business interest, out-of-state real estate, special-needs beneficiary, estate-tax concerns), an attorney is strongly recommended. The cost is usually a small fraction of what mistakes cost the estate later.

⚠ Legal disclaimer. This is a basic template. Wills are governed by state law and state-specific execution formalities (witnesses, notarisation, self-proving affidavits) vary significantly. Errors in execution can render a will invalid. Consult a licensed estate-planning attorney in your state before relying on this document. Do not use this template if you have a blended family, a business interest, an estate near the federal estate-tax exemption, real estate in multiple states, or a special-needs beneficiary.

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